Mental Health Services of Orange County opened the state-funded children's center in mid-February to provide short-term psychiatric treatment for youngsters who were suicidal or a danger to others and could not afford private care.

Vince Smith, an inspector with the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, said during a routine inspection last month he found that staff members could not control patients; were inconsistent in saying one thing to patients and doing another; and could not handle aggressive patients.

Eatonville police also had been called frequently to help control aggressive patients.

Agency officials had downplayed the state's criticisms, saying Smith spent only two hours at the hospital and could not make an accurate assessment. Agency director Forbes Johnson said Friday some of Smith's standards were so high that no agency could meet them.

Still, the crisis unit will see some improvements. They include hiring more male employees, continuous training for staff members and gradually increasing the number of patients from five to 20 from May to July.

Johnson said those actions and others should ensure the center will comply with state regulations. He said several children who were sent elsewhere will be admitted to the unit this weekend.